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Soul legend Aretha Franklin had pancreatic cancer, one of the most deadly forms

Legendary soul singer Aretha Franklin died of an advanced form of pancreatic cancer, a disease that is difficult to discover early and among the most deadly forms of cancer. Pancreatic cancer will kill an estimated 44,300 Americans in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society.

Pancreatic cancer will kill an estimated 44,300 Americans in 2018, according to the American Cancer Society.

Franklin's family said in a statement that she died from advanced "pancreatic cancer of the neuroendocrine type," a diagnosis confirmed by Franklin's oncologist, Dr. Philip Phillips of Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit.

What is pancreatic cancer?

The disease begins in the pancreas but quickly spreads to nearby organs. It is rarely detected in the early stages, experts said.

Symptoms often are noticed only when the disease has advanced and may include pain in the upper abdomen that radiates to the back, loss of appetite, unintended weight loss or adult-onset diabetes, according to Mayo Clinic.

"What makes it so challenging is there is no early detection," said Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN), an advocacy organization. "Usually by the time it is diagnosed it is late stage and more difficult to treat."

What is the survival rate?

About 55,440 people are expected to be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer this year. Although the aggressive disease accounts for only 3 percent of cancers, it causes 7 percent of cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Only 8 percent of people with pancreatic cancer diagnosed from 2007 to 2013 lived beyond five years, making it one of the most lethal forms of cancer, according to National Cancer Institute statistics.

The most common and lethal form of pancreatic cancer is adenocarcinoma, accounting for nine out of 10 cases, according to PanCAN.

What type of pancreatic tumor did Franklin have?

The Queen of Soul had a neuroendocrine tumor – a rarer type of the disease that accounts for only 6 percent of pancreatic cancer tumors, according to PanCAN. The five-year survival rate for this type of cancer is better than the more common forms of the disease. Some people, such as Apple co-founder Steve Jobs, can live for years with this type of tumor.

These type of tumors form from abnormal growth of the pancreas' endocrine cells, which make hormones to control blood-sugar levels. This form of pancreatic cancer typically grows more slowly than the more common forms of the disease, Fleshman said.

Dr. Daniel Von Hoff, an oncologist and pancreatic cancer expert, said that neuroendocrine tumors can originate in other parts of the body such as the bowels.

"They take a longer time to grow in general," said Von Hoff, physician in chief at Phoenix-based genomics research lab TGen. "They have a better prognosis in general" than more common pancreatic cancer tumors.

What are some risk factors?

People with a family history of pancreatic cancer or who develop diabetes as an adult may have a higher risk of pancreatic cancer.

Some other risks may include inflammation of the pancreas, smoking, obesity, age and certain hereditary condition such as the BRCA-2 mutation and Lynch syndrome, according to Mayo Clinic.

African Americans also have a higher rate of pancreatic cancer compared to other racial groups, according to PanCAN.

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R&B great Aretha Franklin, the forever reigning Queen of Soul, seen here performing in 2017, has died at her home in Detroit at age 76 of pancreatic cancer, her niece, Sabrina Owens, confirmed to The Detroit Free Press on Aug. 16, 2018. Dimitrios Kambouris, Getty Images

Franklin performs at the world premiere of "Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives" at Radio City Music Hall, during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival in New York. Charles Sykes, Charles Sykes/Invision/AP

Aretha Franklin braves the chilly Michigan temperatures to perform at the Detroit Lions' annual Thanksgiving Day home game against the Minnesota Vikings on Nov. 24, 2016, at Ford Field. Tim Fuller, USA TODAY Sports

Aretha Franklin sings during a memorial service for her father and brother, Rev. C.L. and Rev. Cecil Franklin, at New Bethel Baptist Church where they were ministers, in Detroit, Mich. on June 7, 2015. Elizabeth Conley, The Detroit News via AP

President Barack Obama fist bumps with Aretha Franklin who sang during a farwell ceremony for Attorney General Eric Holder at the Justice Department Feb. 27, 2015 in Washington, DC. The ceremony was held to unveil the Attorney General's official portrait and commemorate his tenure before his expected departure from the department after more than six years of service. Mark Wilson, Getty Images

Franklin blows out her birthday candles on March 22, 2015, three days shy of turning 73. She celebrated with then-Attorney General Eric Holder, left, journalist Tamron Hall and producer Clive Davis at New York's Ritz Carlton Hotel. Charles Sykes,Invision/AP

Franklin walks in a procession during Harvard University commencement ceremonies May 29, 2014, in Cambridge, Mass. Franklin was presented an honorary Doctor of Arts degree during the ceremony. Steven Senne, AP

Franklin belts out the National Anthem prior to the start of Game 3 of the American League Championship Series between the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers on Oct. 11, 2011. JULIAN H. GONZALEZ, Detroit Free Press

Aretha Franklin and Tony Bennett perform during Bennett's 85th Birthday Gala Benefit for Exploring the Arts at The Metropolitan Opera House on Sept. 18, 2011, in New York City. Larry Busacca, Getty Images

Aretha Franklin hosts a high tea listening party at the Detroit Fish Market for her soon-to-be released CD, "A Woman Falling Out of Love" on Feb. 26, 2010, As the songs play her sister-in-law Earline Franklin of Detroit, left and friend Ali Woodson a former lead singer with the Temptations of Los Angeles get up to sing and clap and show their enthusiasm for the new CD. Regina H. Boone, Detroit Free Press via USA TODAY NETWORK

Franklin is joined by Josh Groban, Susan Sarandon, Lil' Kim and Cyndi Lauper for the finale of the Mandela Day Concert, celebrating the 91st birthday of South African leader Nelson Mandela at New York's Radio City Music Hall on July 18, 2009. Charles Sykes, AP

Franklin performed at eight different Grammy ceremonies, tying her with Whitney Houston for the most appearances. She first performed in 1971 and last performed in 2008, when she was honored as the MusiCares' Person of the Year. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY

When the pinnacle of the sports season takes place in Detroit, only one name will do when it comes time to do the national anthem. Franklin did the honors a Super Bowl XL in February 2006. JEFF HAYNES, AFP/Getty Images

President Bush awards singer Aretha Franklin the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award in the East Room of the White House, Nov. 9, 2005. It is the highest civilian award given. LAWRENCE JACKSON, ASSOCIATED PRESS

In addition to her many Grammy appearances, Franklin's iconic voice was also featured on the Tony Awards. Here, she performs with host Hugh Jackman at the 2005 ceremony honoring Broadway's best. Robert Deutsch, USA TODAY

Opera singer Luciano Pavarotti laughs along with Aretha Franklin and the group Boyz II Men (rear) after accepting the eighth MusiCares Foundation "Person of the Year" award in New York on Feb. 23, 1998. HENNY RAY ABRAMS, AFP/Getty Images

Kirk Douglas applauds Aretha Franklin at a reception for the Kennedy Center Honors on Dec. 4, 1994, at the White House. The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes American performance artists who have made lifetime contributions to American culture. JOSHUA ROBERTS, AFP/Getty Images

Aretha Franklin performs in the finale of "Aretha Franklin: Duets," an AIDS benefit concert for the Gay Men's Health Crisis in New York on April 28, 1993, as singers Smokey Robinson, background from left, Gloria Estefan, Rod Stewart, Bonnie Raitt and actors Dustin Hoffman and Robert De Niro look on. Ron Frehm, AP

Though she's the Queen of Soul, Franklin had no qualms about sharing the spotlight. When George Michael, her duet partner from 1987's "I Knew You Were Waiting for Me," came to Detroit on his Faith world tour the next year, she joined him onstage. Robert Kozloff, AP

Rev. Jesse Jackson speaks to reporters at the Operation PUSH Soul Picnic in New York with Tom Todd, vice president of PUSH, from second left, Aretha Franklin and Louis Stokes on March 26, 1972. Jim Wells, AP